Oman’s premium seafront resort, The Wave, is an integrated residential and tourism resort planned along 7.3km of pristine beachfront between Al Athaiba and Seeb area at a total cost of around RO310 million.
In the last quarter of last year, UAE-based business house Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) signed up as a key partner in the venture. MAF signed an MoU covering a RO35 million investment to develop the first phase in which 400,000 sq m of land will be reclaimed to develop the basic infrastructure and build a golf course, marina and yacht club.
The second stage will cover the construction of hotels, villas, apartments, restaurants, shops and leisure centres. The western edge of The Wave will have a five-star spa and beachfront hotel with 200 exclusive rooms. Next to this will be the golf course and a 300-room conference resort. A complex of 505 villas will overlook the ocean and the golf course.
The heart of The Wave will have a marina that will accommodate 250 boats in addition to restaurants, shops, world souk and a yacht club highlight Omani seafaring heritage. While the Marina Tower hotel will be reserved for tourists, there will be two Marina Condominium Towers and 850 Marina Village apartments for tenants. The Beach and Sports Resort will accommodate a centre for scuba diving and water sports. Next to it, 230 beach and residential villas will be built with a view to allow international freehold ownership of residential real estate in the country. An all-exclusive private beach for women is also part of the extensive plans.
According to the project’s main development agency, Oman Tourism Development Company (OTDC), The Wave has the potential to launch the Sultanate as an international leisure destination. It is conceived as an exquisite tourism and residential seafront resort to be integrated into the Arabic culture, heritage and geography of Oman.
The project will be developed keeping in mind the discerning international and regional tourist looking for an exciting, authentic new destination uncluttered by over-commercialisation and excessive globalisation, as well as the GCC and international homeowner looking for a pleasing, exclusive residence, and the Omani visitor. The project will be built to provide all the amenities required by an upscale lifestyle. Current legal changes will permit international home ownership in Oman by the time The Wave commences development, stressed the OTDC officials.
Another exciting development is the Muscat Golf Course Project. Located at Airport Heights near the Seeb International Airport, it is expected to complete by Spring/Summer of 2006 at an estimated cost of RO22 million. Set on a PGA 18-hole golf course, it will comprise of luxurious villas and apartments for GCC national residents and foreigners. “Non-nationals and non-GCC will be able to purchase in the designated tourist area,” stated Charles Rowe, project director. The project has received a tremendous boost since each buyer gets a residential visa, he added.